While lots of folks were out buying stuff this past weekend, I spent hours purging. We cleaned out the garage and installed a ceiling storage shelf. I can now open my car door without hitting anything. I combed the backyard, picking up toys and raking. I had my son sort through his massive collection of water guns and water toys and reduced it down to one bin. I cleaned out the kitchen and stripped the wallpaper off the wall to prep it for painting.
What does this have to do with writing? I cleaned and organized my email and writing folder. I keep emails of contests and anthologies. I missed several of them, but I still had the notes. I sorted various stories, articles, and critiques into their proper folders, and organized images.
While I'm doing this all physically (and digitally!), it helps to tidy me up mentally. The cobwebs have been brushed away, and I've got all this new space. Space for potential stories. I've had so many pop up in my head this past weekend.
Plus it gives me room to rev up and finish off my current WIP. It's been slow-going lately, and perhaps it's because I was feeling mentally crowded. So much to do, so little time.
Yet now I see I can do it all. I've made lists and scheduled time slots. Funny how a neat house and a few lists can make everything seem so clear.
How often do you purge and organize?
Sounds like you've got a lot done in terms of organization. I've always found that making a To Do list or doing a bit of organizing can have a calming effect when things seem too overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how it works that way. :)
DeleteMakes me want to do it right now. I thin we do that on a small scale several times a year.
ReplyDeleteWe really should do the same. Better than it taking a whole day to do!
DeleteWell done! I so have to do this. I so WANT to do this. Just have to find the energy - really dragging this month, after NaNo especially.
ReplyDeleteThat's the trick: finding the energy! Coffee helps my hubby and chocolate for me. :)
DeleteEarlier this year, I went through and purged/cleaned up my blogs I follow lists. Recently I went through my email and deleted over 12,000 emails I no longer needed. I've also gone through my files and organized them better, and I've been going through what I own and getting rid of things too. It definitely has helped, and I hope to take time to do it more often instead of waiting so long to do so.
ReplyDelete12,000? Wow. And here I thought a few hundred was a lot. =P I want to do it more often too.
DeleteWhoa, you've been busy! Know what you mean about purging/organizing being a good way to clear the mind--I don't do it nearly enough, LOL. And how exciting that this has led to a bunch of new story ideas for you--that's awesome!
ReplyDeleteHeather, now I just need to find time to get those ideas written out!
ReplyDeleteI'd say we do it a couple times a year: spring and fall/winter (usually over the winter break; Scott takes time off then). Alas, I can't write when there's so much else going on around me, even if I hide in my office. So if we're tidying and reorganizing, I won't be getting any work done.
ReplyDeleteWe should do it a few times a year too. I can't write when there's stuff going on at home either, but I'm the one heading the cleanup!
DeleteGreat way to spend the weekend! ^_^ Yay for new ideas! Great ideas like to sneak up on us when we're busy doing other stuff, don't they?
ReplyDeleteHaving a schedule and lists helps me out a lot. It helps me see when I'm putting too much on my plate, too. I try to go through stuff once a season. Make sure my desk is staying manageable, going through the pile of non-essential mail, clearing the coffee table. It's good for the eyes and writer's brain. :)
They certainly do! :) My desk is only manageable because a kid and a cat sweep everything off of it. *LOL*
DeleteHi Christine - sounds very good - well done and I always want to have a clean slate to start with and it never seems to happen ... even leaving the UK things are in limbo as I sort and adjust to life here ... good for you - and here's to a productive period ahead of you - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hilary! And I hope you settle in to life in Canada smoothly.
DeleteI am so doing that over the Christmas break!
ReplyDeleteWoot!
DeleteYou're so right about the physical space influencing the mental space. I have allowed my whole world to become cluttered, brain included. I've been trying to sort things out too. I just feel lighter without so much clutter.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. And with more boys than I have, I'm sure you have way more clutter! :)
DeleteGood idea and congrats on cleaning the cobwebs.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteCongrats! I'm the same way, declutter everything around me helps declutter my brain too!
ReplyDeleteIt makes me wonder if the brain is actually connected to those physical things. Am I living in a construct of my mind?!
DeleteI went through my one writer's folder in my inbox the other day. I swear I had about 10 emails from you where we chatted about writing and swapped WIPs.
ReplyDeleteHa! Yeah, I had a bunch too. :)
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